Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Mainline => Topic started by: monteiro.sheldon on August 28, 2022, 06:01:37 AM

Title: Can I use the 6.3V to drive a USB board
Post by: monteiro.sheldon on August 28, 2022, 06:01:37 AM
Hello,

Can I use the 6.3V DC output in the Mainline to drive a Raspberry Pi Pico (3.3v and use a regulator) or will I risk damaging the transformer or recitifier circuit?

Thanks,
Sheldon
Title: Re: Can I use the 6.3V to drive a USB board
Post by: Paul Birkeland on August 28, 2022, 06:09:53 AM
The Mainline 6.3V rails are biased up from ground/earth by about 50V, so that could very easily damage your RP or if you had a USB cable plugged into the RP and you touched the metal shell on the other end, you'll get a zap. 

There's also not a ton of extra current available in the heater circuit, so without knowing the current draw it's tough to say if the Mainline would be damaged.
Title: Re: Can I use the 6.3V to drive a USB board
Post by: monteiro.sheldon on August 28, 2022, 06:25:26 AM
Thanks Paul for the quick response.